Horses are naturally athletic animals but the biomechanics involved in their ability is often overlooked as is their ability to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system. The average horse is about 1000lbs and during speed gaits may travel at 30 mph and during this movement all the force is exerted through one leg only; this gives us the idea of the forces exerted on weight bearing surfaces of joints that must be able to move fluidly to function normally during the weight bearing part of the gait.

Cartilage is the major component of the joint that allows for normal joint function. Glucosamine is one of its primary building blocks that allows for cartilage to become elastic or sponge-like in its properties as well as the smooth lubricated surfaces that slide together during motion. There are a variety of conditions that can affect the cartilage and thus interfere with normal joint function.

Glucosamine will function to assist the horse in two main ways. The first is to minimize the inflammation found within an injured joint. The second is to help maintenance of the cartilage and aid in repair and some degree of regeneration. Thus is it a pertinent supplement for both the convalescing horse as well as the performing horse and the aging athlete or retiree. Common injuries or conditions that may be responsive to glucosamine are arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteochondrosis, and soft tissue injuries such as tendon or ligament strains. Glucosamine is also a relevant therapy in any post-operative therapy after surgeries involving the joint such as arthroscopy for OCD lesions or bone chips.

Glucosamine can come in a variety of ways. The necessary criteria to select the relevant product are to verify the purity of the product, evaluate the amount of glucosamine the horse will be getting on a daily basis and finally to see which form best meets the individual horse's needs. There is evidence that a minimum of 10g per day is required for the average horse and that the glucosamine hydrochloride is absorbed better than the glucosamine sulphate. Newmarket Joint Supplement will satisfy these criteria.